But, despite an impressive big screen start, Franciosa failed to live up to his initial promise and after acclaimed roles in films like The Long Hot Summer (1958) and Rio Conchos (1964), he turned his attention to TV.

He found small-screen stardom on the TV series The Name of the Game and Matt Helm, among other shows.

He returned to the big screen for roles in late 1970s/early 1980s action movies likeFirepower and Death Wish II and made his last appearance on the big screen in City Hall in 1996.